News and Press Releases
St. Paul felon pleads guilty to possessing a 12-gauge shotgun
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 24-year-old felon from St. Paul pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered 12-gauge shotgun. Michael Romeo Geraci pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. Geraci, who was indicted on May 22, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge David S. Doty.
In the plea agreement, Geraci admitted that on April 10, 2012, he possessed a 12-gauge shotgun, which was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Geraci had the shotgun in his possession while driving a stolen minivan in the parking lot of the Uni/Dale Mall in St. Paul, where he was arrested. Geraci further admitted that he had the firearm because he intended to use it in connection with another felony offense, namely aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
Furthermore, because he is a felon, Geraci is prohibited under federal law from possessing any type of firearm at any time. His prior Ramsey County convictions include fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle (2007), and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon (2009).
Geraci faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm. Judge Doty will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the St. Paul Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Surya Saxena and LeeAnn K. Bell.
Note, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), an initiative launched by the
U.S. Justice Department in 2001 to promote a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to
reducing gun crime in America. PSN provides resources to strengthen law enforcement and
crime prevention partnerships that work to make our communities safer.
